Elmhurst avoids major flooding Thursday morning

A car drives through a few puddles on Third Street on Thursday morning in Elmhurst. (Mari Grigaliunas - mgrigaliunas@shawmedia.com)

ELMHURST – After days of warnings, Elmhurst avoided any major flooding problems Thursday morning as snow continued to melt.

"We really prepared for this," said Steve Weinstock, interim director of public works.

The city asked residents to help public works crews clear street inlets for the warm temperatures and rain forecast for Thursday, and all seemed to go as planned.

More rain is expected Thursday afternoon, and Weinstock said crews continue to patrol the city to keep drains clear and working. The city also provided pre-filled sandbags along with extra sand and empty bags for residents Wednesday evening in preparation for the expected rain.

"We went out ahead of time and cleared a lot of inlets in areas that we know have had a lot of trouble in the past," Weinstock said.

He said any time heavy rain is forecast for the area, he is concerned, but by and large the city's storm systems seemed to be working.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory until noon and a flood watch until 3 p.m. Thursday. Heavy winds are also expected later. A high wind warning is in effect from 5 until 11 p.m. Thursday.

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